Mississippi Cannabis News
How to Grow Cannabis at Home for Beginners » Emily Kyle, MS, RDN
Thinking about growing your own cannabis plants but don’t know where to start? You’re in the right place! Whether you’re a home gardener curious about the process or a cannabis enthusiast eager to finally cultivate your own stash, this guide will walk you through the steps needed to grow cannabis confidently at home. Here, you’ll know how to choose the right location, prepare your setup, start with seeds or clones, and care for your plants for a rewarding experience.
Article Features
- Beginner-friendly tips and resources
- The essentials of growing cannabis at home
- Want to skip the hard work? Shop with me and have premium, high-quality cannabis products delivered directly to your door! Now shipping across the US.
Why You Will Love This Guide
When I started growing cannabis at home five years ago, I was completely overwhelmed. I didn’t know the difference between a seed and a clone, and I definitely didn’t understand things like light cycles or nutrients.
But over time, with plenty of trial, error, and patience, I’ve learned so much—and I’m still learning!
Growing cannabis has become a passion of mine, not just because of the results (which are pretty fabulous) but because of the process itself.
It’s a rewarding, hands-on experience that’s taught me about perseverance, creativity, and the joy of watching something thrive under your care.
That’s why I’m excited to share what I’ve learned with you so you can enjoy the process, too. Let’s get started!
Choose the Perfect Location
One of the first decisions when growing cannabis is selecting where you’ll grow your plants – either outdoors in nature or inside in a controlled environment.
Both indoor and outdoor setups have pros and cons, so it’s important to weigh your options. Let’s explore your options.
Growing Indoors
One of the biggest draws to indoor growing is that it offers greater control over your environment, from temperature to light exposure.
Indoor growing is ideal if you live in a place with unpredictable weather or limited light during certain times of the year.
However, to simulate the perfect growing conditions, you’ll need to invest in equipment like grow lights, fans, and grow tents – just to name a few.
Pros:
- Total environmental control
- Consistent growing seasons (grow year-round!)
- More discreet
Cons:
- Higher initial investment
- Requires space and specific equipment
Growing Outdoors
On the other hand, outdoor growing utilizes the sun’s power—nature’s best grow light!
This method can be more cost-effective if you live in an area with lots of sunny days, minimal frost, and privacy.
However, one difficulty is that outdoor plants are also exposed to unpredictable weather, pests, and curious neighbors.
Pros:
- Lower initial costs
- The sun provides essential energy for healthy growth
- Larger yields (depending on plant size)
Cons:
- Vulnerable to pests and harsh weather
- Limited to seasonal growing
- Harder to maintain privacy
🍃 Tip: Growing outdoors may seem more straightforward for beginners, but if you have the budget and space, an indoor grow setup offers more control and predictable results.
Prepare the Growing Environment
Once you’ve chosen your location, it’s time to prepare the area for planting.
Cannabis plants are like any other plant—they need the right combination of soil, sunlight, water, and nutrients to thrive.
Soil
If you’re growing in soil, choose a rich and well-aerated soil designed specifically for cannabis or one with organic compost and nutrients built in.
Some growers swear by premixed potting soils labeled as “super soil,” which are packed with everything your plant needs.
For indoor setups, you’ll also have the option of hydroponics (growing plants without soil, using a nutrient-water solution instead).
While hydroponics allows for faster growth, it’s a more advanced technique that might not be ideal for first-timers.
Sunlight (or Grow Lights)
Cannabis plants thrive on light, and 12–18 hours of light per day is recommended during certain growing stages.
Outdoor growers should pick a location with consistent, direct sunlight for at least 6–8 hours daily.
Indoors, invest in quality LED or HID grow lights that mimic the sun’s full spectrum.
Water
Cannabis plants need consistent hydration to grow strong, but overwatering is a common beginner mistake.
Your plants should feel moist but not soggy, as excess water can lead to root rot. Use pots with drainage holes for indoor plants to avoid water buildup.
Nutrients
Cannabis plants require three primary nutrients to thrive—nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). F
or beginners, premixed fertilizers or cannabis-specific nutrient kits are an excellent choice. Follow package instructions carefully to avoid nutrient overload.
🍃 Tip: Test your soil’s pH regularly. Cannabis likes a pH range of 6.0–7.0 for soil and 5.5–6.5 for hydroponics.
Starting with Seeds or Clones
Now that your location is ready, it’s time to start growing. But where do you begin? The two main choices are seeds or clones.
Growing from Seeds
Seeds are widely available and come in various strains tailored to your preferences—whether you’re looking for a relaxing Indica, an energizing Sativa, or a balanced hybrid.
Look for feminized seeds if you want to grow only female plants, as male plants don’t produce smokable buds (and can even fertilize females).
Seed Types
- Autoflower Seeds: These plants are beginner-friendly because they flower automatically after a specific time, regardless of light cycles. They grow faster but typically yield smaller plants.
- Photoperiod Seeds: These plants flower based on the light exposure they receive. They yield bigger plants but require careful light scheduling.
🍃 Tip: Learn more about how to select the right cannabis seeds for your needs with this guide on how to shop for cannabis seeds online.
Growing from Clones
Clones are cuttings taken from a mature “mother” cannabis plant, essentially creating a genetic copy.
This offers the advantage of knowing exactly what strain and quality you’re getting. Clones are ideal for growers who want to skip the germination process.
🍃 Tip: If you’re just starting out, autoflower seeds may be the easiest way to explore growing with fewer challenges.
Caring for Your Cannabis Plants
Now that your plants are growing, they’ll need regular TLC to thrive. Here’s what to keep in mind through each stage of growth.
Vegetative Stage
This is the stage where your plant focuses on growing stems and leaves.
During this phase, your plant will need lots of light to grow big and strong.
Ensure proper airflow to prevent mold, and continue feeding it a balanced mix of nutrients.
Flowering Stage
The flowering stage is when your plant starts producing buds.
For photoperiod plants, this stage is triggered by reducing the amount of daily light to 12 hours. Your plant will need more phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) to support healthy flower growth during this stage.
Training Techniques:
Consider simple training techniques like Low-Stress Training (LST) to maximize your plant’s yield. This involves gently bending the plant’s stems to expose more areas to light.
Common Problems to Watch For
- Pests: Watch out for spider mites, aphids, and caterpillars. Use neem oil or natural predators like ladybugs to keep infestations in check.
- Nutrient Deficiencies: Yellow leaves may indicate nitrogen deficiency, while “burned” leaf tips can suggest overfeeding.
- Mold and Mildew: Keep humidity levels low and ensure proper ventilation to prevent mold from ruining your buds.
Harvest Time
When the buds are dense, sticky, and covered in trichomes (tiny, shiny crystals), it’s harvest time!
Trichomes are your best indicator—clear trichomes mean it’s too early, cloudy indicates peak THC levels, and amber means a more sedative effect.
Essentially, it is as simple as cutting down the plants, trimming the buds, and drying them in a cool, dark space. However, you will discover a lot more work and techniques involved to get it just right.
To learn more about the harvest process, check out my guide for how to harvest outdoor cannabis plants.
Proper drying and storage are critical after harvest for long-term preservation and to preserve the potency, flavor, and overall quality of your buds.
Rushing the process or drying in poor conditions can lead to mold, harsh smoke, or a loss of cannabinoids and terpenes.
For best results, maintain a controlled environment with stable temperature and humidity. Check out my comprehensive drying guide provides a detailed explanation of the process.
Take the First Step Toward Growing Your Own
I promise you, there’s nothing quite as rewarding as growing your own cannabis and seeing the fruits (or buds!) of your labor.
With the right location, quality seeds, and consistent care, anyone can successfully cultivate cannabis at home—even first-timers.
Whether you want to grow for personal use or as a serious gardening hobby, take the first step today.
Do you need more help picking seeds or setting up your growing space? Check out our recommendations and resources for beginner growers. Happy growing—and enjoy the harvest!
More Growing Resouces for You
Author: mscannabiz.com
MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.
Mississippi Cannabis News
Dozen arrested after south Mississippi bust for illegal sales to underage customers
An investigation into south Mississippi businesses selling “alcohol, dangerous illegal vapes, THC edibles,” and other age-restricted or illegal items to underage customers has resulted in at least a dozen arrests with more possible, according to law enforcement.
An announcement by the Perry County Sheriff’s Office said deputies began an investigation in early 2024 after fielding complaints that some businesses in the county were purposely allowing individuals under the age of 21 to purchase age-restricted products.
Sheriff Jacob Garner said as the investigation unfolded, it quickly became clear that the issue was not restricted to Perry County. Law enforcement in nearby Forrest, Lamar, Marion, Greene, Jefferson Davis, and Jones counties had received similar complaints about businesses in their jurisdictions.
Local agencies teamed up with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency for over a year’s worth of identifying subjects, initiating traffic stops, and fielding more calls for service. It culminated on Sept. 11 after 20 search warrants were carried out, with 12 individuals being arrested for their involvement in the businesses selling alcohol, tobacco, and THC to minors.
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“Anyone who chooses to open a business in Perry County for the purpose of selling illegal narcotics, vapes, or THC products to children or adults will be arrested and prosecuted,” Garner said. “These items – disguised as safe or legal – are destroying lives and endangering the health and safety of our citizens. Business owners profiting off the harm of our children and adults in our county will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Garner added that many of the defendants, while operating in different counties, were working in tandem. The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol aided in the investigation that remains active.
The following list of arrests and charges has been announced by the involved law enforcement agencies:
- Khaled Alhamidi, 55, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking while in possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to sell a controlled substance.
- Akram Alhamidi, 25, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking while in possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to sell a controlled substance.
- Omar Obaid, 40, of Hattiesburg: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
- Gaizan Abubaker, 37, of Houma, La.: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
- Rami Selah, 32, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking of a controlled substance while in possession of an enhanced firearm.
- Bassel Saleh, 53, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
- Mark Shaibi, 24, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearm.
- Gabr Al-Gabri, 36, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking of a controlled substance while in possession of an enhanced firearm.
- Basel Rashad, 30, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking while in possession of a firearm.
- Anmed Elgabry, 30, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking of a controlled substance while in possession of an enhanced firearm.
- Mohammed Riyadh, 31, of Hattiesburg: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
- Ahmedou Mohamedlaamar, 22, of Perry County: Aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
Author: mscannabiz.com
MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.
Donald Trump is reportedly looking at reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug in the US.
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, the 79-year-old president is ‘looking at’ making a huge change, which would make it easier to buy and sell weed, making the multibillion-dollar industry more profitable.
The publication’s sources claimed that during a recent fundraiser held at his New Jersey golf club, where tickets for the event went for a whopping $1 million each, the Republican leader first spoke of the potential plans.
He allegedly said he was ‘looking at’ possibly changing the classification of marijuana from a Schedule I controlled substance to a Schedule III substance.
In simple terms, this doesn’t mean it would make the drug completely legal across the US, but it would help ease restrictions on it.
Donald Trump is reportedly considering whether to reclassify marijuana in the US (Bloomberg/Getty Images)
At the event, speaking of tweaking the federal restrictions for the drug, Trump allegedly said: “We need to look at that. That’s something we’re going to look at.”
Then, according to The Telegraph, speaking at a press conference on Monday, the US president affirmed: “We’re looking at reclassification, and we’ll make a determination over, I’d say, the next few weeks.”
He reportedly added that the decision is ‘very complicated’ – so, let’s break it down.
How do US marijuana laws work?
At a federal level, marijuana remains illegal in the US as per the 1970 Controlled Substances Act, however, many states have made their own rules for cannabis use.
As we mentioned earlier, it’s federally classified as a Schedule I drug – this means that federal law considers it to have a ‘high potential for abuse’ and ‘no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States’.
But, despite its federal classification, 24 states plus the District of Columbia have fully legalised weed, meanwhile others have opted to only allow it for medicinal purposes.
Cannabis legalisation in individual states can be done in a number of ways, ranging from fully illegal to legal for both medicinal and recreational use.
If you’re in a state that has completely legalised recreational marijuana and you’re 21 or older, you have the right to use cannabis products for your own personal enjoyment.
However, this doesn’t always mean it’s legal to purchase – confusing, I know.
For example, while it’s illegal to buy marijuana in Washington, DC, it’s legal for anyone 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of it and grow up to six marijuana plants in the district.
So essentially, it’s all down to the state you’re in and their specific regulations.
America’s cannabis laws can be a tricky subject to wrap your head around (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
What would happen if marijuana became a Schedule III drug?
If Trump were to go ahead and reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, this would be a pretty big change up and down America.
According to the US government’s website, Schedule III drugs are defined as drugs ‘with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence’ and their ‘abuse potential is less than Schedule I and Schedule II drugs’.
Some examples of Schedule III drugs are products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit, such as Tylenol with codeine, ketamine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone.
Meanwhile, Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
Some examples include heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and as of right now, marijuana.
It’s important to note that the switch up would not make marijuana completely legal – it would just help ease restrictions and create more opportunities for medical uses and possible tax breaks for marijuana companies.
The Republican leader is said to be ‘looking at’ possibly switching marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug (Emilija Manevska/Getty Images)
Which US states is marijuana currently legal in?
States where marijuana is fully legal:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Illinois
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
States where marijuana is legal for medical purposes only:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia (CBD oil only)
- Hawaii
- Indiana (CBD oil only)
- Iowa (CBD oil only)
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Tennessee (CBD oil only)
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin (CBD oil only)
- Wyoming (CBD oil only)
Author: mscannabiz.com
MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.
Author: mscannabiz.com
MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.
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